NBA free agency roundup: The latest updates around the league

NBA free agency officially begins Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. ET, but the dominoes are already beginning to fall around the NBA. The 2019 offseason has to potential to be one of the wildest in league history, with a bevy of superstars considering moves that will drastically shift the balance of power in the NBA. With one day left until the madness begins, here are the latest reports from around the internet:

Kyrie Irving

Leading suitors: Nets, Lakers, Knicks

Irving has been linked to the Nets for weeks, though the Lakers also have interest in a reunion with LeBron James. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving could quickly sign a 4-year deal with the Nets on Sunday.

Kemba Walker

Leading suitors: Celtics

Irving’s gone after a frustrating two-year stint in Boston, but the Celtics already have their replacement locked up. Walker, who was eligible for a supermax deal in Charlotte, is set to sign a four-year contract with the Celtics on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard

Leading suitors: Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Knicks

Kawhi Leonard is arguably in the best position of any free agent in 2019, and he appears to have the ability to turn as many as three different teams into instant title favorites.

Leonard is set to meet with the Clippers and the Lakers in the coming days, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has reported that Leonard is strongly considering joining LeBron James’ superteam in LA.  Leonard will reportedly allow the Raptors to make the final pitch in his process before making a decision.

A new report on Saturday has complicated the situation, however. According to ESPN, Leonard and Kevin Durant have discussed teaming up – which could be very good news for the New York Knicks, one of the only teams with the space to sign both Leonard and Durant.

Kevin Durant

Leading suitors: Warriors, Nets, Knicks, Clippers

It had been speculated for months that Durant would team up with Kyrie Irving in one of the boroughs of New York this summer, but the Leonard report changes everything, if the pair are serious about playing together. With the Nets set to sign Irving, Durant could follow to Brooklyn and make the Nets serious title contenders when he recovers – or do the same by joining forces with Kawhi in New York or Los Angeles.

According to The Athletic, Steph Curry will meet with Durant in New York on Saturday night to discuss a potential future with Golden State. Durant has opted out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors, but he could potentially sign a 5-year supermax deal worth $221 million. If Durant chooses to play elsewhere, he can only receive a max offer of $170 million. There’s still also a chance that Durant could sign with the Warriors with the intent to be traded later on.

Klay Thompson

Leading suitors: Warriors

Thompson has been offered a 5-year max contract by the Warriors, and is expected to sign when free agency opens.

Via USA TODAY Sports:

“Thompson is expected to reach an agreement on a five-year, $189.6 million contract when free agency officially begins on Sunday, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.”

D’Angelo Russell

Leading suitors: Lakers, Timberwolves, Suns

The Nets have submitted a qualifying offer to keep Russell as a restricted free agent, but with Irving expected to sign a max deal, Russell will be playing elsewhere next season. Russell will reportedly meet with the Timberwolves when free agency begins – but there’s a chance Russell may be headed back to Los Angeles.

According to Woj, Russell will also meet with the Lakers, and he’s interested in a potential return – but he may have to wait until Leonard makes a decision before the Lakers will be willing to commit.

Jimmy Butler

Leading suitors: Sixers, Heat, Rockets

The Sixers are facing some pivotal decisions with their roster as the organizations championship window appears to be open – but keeping their team together could get very, very expensive in the coming years. Philadelphia can offer Butler 5-year deal worth $190 million, and according to The Athletic, receiving a max-length contract from the Sixers is very important to the 29-year-old star.

Butler will reportedly have meetings with the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat – two teams that don’t have the cap space to sign Butler, and would have to rely on working out a sign-and-trade deal with the Sixers.

For what it’s worth, Dwyane Wade shouted out Butler on Twitter early Saturday morning.

Derrick Rose

Leading suitors: Pistons

Rose, whose 50-point eruption was named the moment of the year at the NBA Awards, will meet with Detroit.

Nikola Mirotic

Leading suitors: Barcelona

Mirotic was in line to land a sizable deal in free agency, but he is leaving the NBA entirely to return to the Euroleague with Barcelona.

Frank Kaminsky

The Hornets announced Saturday that the team is allowing Kaminsky to become an unrestricted free agent.

Nene

Nene is opting out of his deal with the Rockets to test free agency.

George Hill

The journeyman guard is set to become a free agent after being waived by the Bucks.